Recently some TV stations have begun broadcasting full strength DTV signals hence leaving older televisions without built-in digital tuner with fewer stations. These stations have stopped broadcasting their digital signals all together. So even if you have cable you may need a DTV Cable Box for each Analog TV in your home becomes a question.

The FCC and the cable companies have left most of their publications open to interpretation by using word like "Should" & "Probably"

As of March 1, 2007, all television receivers shipped in interstate commerce or imported into the United States must contain a digital tuner. In addition, effective May 25, 2007, the Commission required sellers of television receiving equipment that does not include a digital tuner to disclose at the point-of-sale that such devices include only an analog tuner, and therefore will require a digital-to-analog converter box to receive over-the-air broadcast television after the transition date. Retailers must inform consumers by prominently displaying the following text if they are selling TV equipment with only an analog tuner: "This television receiver has only an analog broadcast tuner and will require a converter box after February 17, 2009, to receive over-the-air broadcasts with an antenna because of the Nation’s transition to digital broadcasting".

As the DTV Transition draws closer the confusion is increasing. Even as geeks we are finding ourselves a bit bewildered. The questions only get more numerous. Are Cable Companies going to continue to broadcast analog signals. They can seeing "Congress mandated the conversion to all-digital television broadcasting, also known as the digital television (DTV) transition, because all-digital broadcasting will free up frequencies for public safety communications (such as police, fire, and emergency rescue). Also, digital is a more efficient transmission technology that allows broadcast stations to offer improved picture and sound quality, as well as offer more programming options for consumers through multiple broadcast streams (multi casting). In addition, some of the freed up frequencies will be used for advanced commercial wireless services for consumers". It would be no problem for cable companies to continue analog signals since it wouldn't interfere with any of the reasons for The DTV Conversion. But will Cable Companies still carry analog signals so you don't need a digital set-top boxes with a analog TV. This is what The FCC states about this "If you receive cable or satellite television service, contact your cable or satellite provider about any additional components, such as a digital set-top box, that you may need to watch digital broadcast programming".

According to The NCTA ( National Cable & Telecommunications Association) "Thanks to a compromise adopted by the FCC in September 2007, cable companies will carry the main digital signal of “must carry” commercial  full power broadcast TV stations and will duplicate that signal into analog format so that all channels can be viewed on any older analog TV sets connected to cable.

Cable’s carriage of the signals in both digital and analog formats will ensure that all customers will see commercial  full power broadcast TV signals after the transition.  This approach will make the digital transition effortless for all cable customers and provide valuable assistance to commercial TV stations trying to reach all of the homes in their region)

If you have Cable your DTV transition should be smooth. If you want a digital picture you still need a built-in digital tuner in your TV, but your older analog sets will still work. The quality of analog signals still remains to be seen. As not all broadcasters have switched over.

Now if you receive only free over-the-air television programming, the type of TV you own, either a digital TV or an analog TV, is very important. Consumers who receive only free over-the-air television may view digital programming through a TV set with a built-in digital tuner (integrated DTV) or a digital-ready monitor with a separate digital tuner set-top box. (Both of these digital television types are referred to as a DTV). The only additional equipment required to view over-the-air digital programming with a DTV is a regular antenna, either on your roof or a smaller version on your TV such as “rabbit ears.”

After your full power stations transition to only digital, you will be able to receive and view over-the-air digital programming with an analog TV only by purchasing a digital-to-analog set-top converter box. All U.S. households are able to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, LINK to be used toward the future purchase of eligible digital-to-analog converter boxes. Eligible converter boxes are for the conversion of over-the-air digital television signals, and therefore are not intended for analog TVs connected to a paid provider such as cable or satellite TV service.

Tags: analog tuner, Digital TV Signals, DTV Antenna, DTV Cable Box, DTV Coupon, DTV signals, DTV Sources, DTV Transition, DTV Transition Facts, FCC, NCTA, Will Analog TV Work

This entry was posted on Saturday, April 18th, 2009 at 4:59 pm and is filed under DTV Changes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.